The trained volunteers brought an emergency response vehicle and supplies that will be used to assist emergency responders and residents recovering from devastating storms, said Brooke Mehaffey, regional communications director for the Red Cross.

“It’s mainly used for mobile feeding and supply distributions,” Mehaffey said. “The emergency response vehicle is a little bit bigger than an ambulance and the whole back has areas to prepare food and hand out food out the windows.”

Powerful storms and dozens of tornados Sunday tore through parts of the Midwest, southern Illinois and outside Peoria, reportedly killing six people and injuring dozens more. The severe weather forced a two-hour delay at the Bears game in Chicago. Strong winds knocked over homes, uprooted trees and knocked down power lines.

In Washington, Ill., entire neighborhoods were flattened with the mayor estimating 250 to 500 homes had been destroyed, the Associated Press reports.

Volunteers from Rockford arrived last night.

Mehaffey said she is now seeking an update from them from the field. It is hoped the volunteers and the vehicle will help provide a needed respite as the region begins a daunting recovery.

She said more volunteers could be sent from the local Red Cross depending on need. Their focus is initially helping with mass care, shelter, food and disaster assessment.

Meanwhile, Melissa Lewis of Rockford has started a grass roots effort to collect supplies for those who need them in areas damaged by the tornadoes.

Lewis has set up an area in her basement at 1110 17th Avenue Apt. 4 to sort and stack the supplies. Anyone who wants to donate, can drop off items at her home. They are collecting bottles of water, blankets, pillows, toiletries, baby supplies, pet supplies, batteries, flashlights, socks and storage tubs. She is looking for volunteers to help drive the items down to the damaged areas.

Lewis said anyone who wants to get involved in her grassroots effort can join her for an organizational meeting at 2 p.m. Monday at her home or call her at 773-455-4333. Lewis established a Facebook group at facebook.com/groups/illinoisdisastevolunteers/.

Lewis said she is putting skills learned from her volunteer efforts with the Rockford Jaycees to send aid to victims of Hurricane Katrina to use with this disaster. She also volunteered to help when people’s homes were flooded in the Churchill Park neighborhood in 2006 and 2007.

“I never have been through a tornado disaster but I did lose everything I owned in a (1993) fire and my heart goes out to people who lose their homes,” Lewis said. “If we can give something or do something to help, that’s what I want to do.”

Mobility Connection, Inc., in Rockford put a call out for cases and gallons of bottled water. The business, at 4100 E. State St. in Rockford, will take the collection to Washington, Ill., as soon as the pickup truck is filled.